Did You Know...? - Edition 21

December 11, 2009

That…The Government responded to the global economic downturn by introducing Canada’s Economic Action Plan – a plan to stimulate the economy, create jobs for Canadians and protect those hit hardest by the economic downturn. In just 10 months into our two-year plan, our government has already committed 97 per cent of our Economic Action Plan, adding up to 12,000 projects across the country; 8,000 of which have already begun. From coast to coast to coast, projects are up and running, jobs are being created and communities across the country are seeing the benefits. Our government is also working to ensure that those who have lost their jobs during the global economic downturn receive the support they need such as access to skills training and/or extended EI benefits if they need them. Our number one priority continues to be implementing Canada’s Economic Action Plan – our two-year plan is creating jobs and providing tax relief while assisting those who have been hardest hit by the global downturn.

That… The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, updated Canadians on the benefits of Workshare for employers and employees, launched under Canada’s Economic Action Plan. Work-Sharing is an Employment Insurance (EI) program that is designed to avoid layoffs by offering EI income benefits to qualifying workers willing to work a reduced work-week while their employer recovers. Work-Sharing, an important part of the Economic Action Plan, has made it easier for businesses to keep Canadians working.  It is a win-win for employers and employees. There are currently 6,000 Work-sharing agreements nationally protecting the jobs of almost 167,000 Canadians.  Also, since Canada’s Economic Action Plan was introduced, over 225,000 Canadians have benefited from this program. The Work-Sharing program allows more Canadians to continue working while companies experience a temporary slowdown and recover. Employers participating in Work-Sharing can keep their employees and avoid expensive re-hiring and re-training costs, and employees are able to continue working and keep their skills up-to-date. For more information visit: http://news.gc.ca/web/article-eng.do?nid=501369

That… Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced that Canada has regained full access for Canadian beef to the key export market of Hong Kong following a meeting with Donald Tsang, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Hong Kong is a key market for the Canadian agricultural sector and is worth more than half a billion dollars for Canada’s farmers and processors.  In 2008, Hong Kong was Canada’s fourth largest export market for beef.  For more information visit: http://www.pm.gc.ca/eng/media.asp?category=1&id=3018

That…  Minister Aglukkaq updated Canadians on the status of legislation currently in the Senate that would help protect the health and safety of Canadians families from dangerous products. Our Conservative Government introduced the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act to equip the government with new tools to act more quickly and effectively to protect the health and safety of Canadian families. We take the issue of protecting Canadians, especially children, from dangerous products very seriously, which is why we introduced this important legislation and received the support of consumer safety experts. The new law, passed by the House in June, would make it easier to recall a product as soon as inspectors determined it as a danger.  It would also bring safety measures up to similar standards as those in the United States and the European Union. Unfortunately, this important legislation is being held up this in the Senate due to proposed unnecessary amendments which will do absolutely nothing to improve the health and safety of Canadians.  The amendments considerably weaken the bill by putting the interest of industry ahead of the health and safety of Canadians.  For more information visit: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/nr-cp/_2009/2009_195-eng.php

That… Prime Minister Stephen Harper became the first Canadian Prime Minister to speak before the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea (South Korea). He emphasized Canada’s commitment to strengthening relations between the two countries and working closely together on global economic recovery as Canada and South Korea each host a G-20 Summit in 2010 (Toronto will host the G-20 Summit on June 26 and 27, 2010 and a second G-20 Summit will be held in Seoul, Korea, in November). The Prime Minister noted that as hosts, it is critical for Canada and South Korea to work together to focus attention on the global economy and ensure a balanced and sustainable recovery. The Prime Minister also paid tribute to the almost 27,000 Canadian soldiers, including the 516 who paid the ultimate sacrifice, who fought alongside the people of South Korea to keep that country free. South Korea is Canada’s seventh largest trading partner. There are more than 146,000 Canadians of Korean descent calling Canada home along with 30,000 Koreans pursuing full-time studies in Canada and more than 10,000 Canadians living in South Korea.

That… Minister of Industry, Tony Clement, announced that support to help tech companies succeed and create jobs for Canadians. Strong, successful businesses are the backbone of our economy and Canada’s Economic Action Plan is helping businesses by providing the tools necessary to become strong, innovative and prosperous. That is why our government and other funding partners are investing in the new Tandem Expansion Fund, an investment instrument which will support the growth and expansion of tech companies by helping them penetrate new markets, expand production capacity and provide additional working capital. The Tandem Expansion Fund will benefit 20 to 40 Canadian firms for late stage venture capital and help businesses commercialize new products.  For more information visit: http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/ic1.nsf/eng/05201.html

That… Canada’s Economic Action Plan is working.  Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada announced that it will hire 800 workers at the company’s automotive assembly plant in Woodstock, Ontario. To help Canada’s important manufacturing sector our Economic Action Plan invests in research and development, including leading edge, green and fuel-efficient research and development as part of our long-term commitment to the auto sector, particularly to our skilled workers and suppliers. Our Economic Action Plan also supports our manufacturing sector by lowering the general corporate income tax rate from 22.12 per cent in 2007 to 15 per cent  in 2012, which will give Canada the lowest overall tax rate on new business investment in the G-7 by 2010. The announcement by Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada Inc. is an indication that Canada’s Economic Action Plan is working.  The addition of a second shift to Toyota’s assembly plant in Woodstock, Ontario, will mean 1200 new indirect jobs for Canadians. Toyota’s announcement is a strong and tangible recognition of Canada’s highly skilled workforce and our competitive business environment. For more information visit: http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/ic1.nsf/eng/04133.html

That… As Canada counts down the days, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced that Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, has been invited to officially open the Paralympic Games. The Opening Ceremony will take place on March 12, 2010, in Vancouver, British Columbia.  The Governor General will also officially open the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games on February 12, 2010. Additional information on the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games can be found at http://www.canada2010.gc.ca and http://www.vancouver2010.com